Nobody is Truly Alone

Mary's Family Restaurant: Where Friends Meet to Eat

The next morning Katie lay in her bed, smushing a pillow over her face.

Why am I such an idiot!? I totally blew that date. He just said we should get together again to be nice. Way to go, Katie.

I groaned in distress. One of the only interesting things in my life was probably never going to be in my life again.

Leo jumped up on the bed, and nosed the pillow off my face. He licked my cheek as to say, I'm interesting too! Now come take me for a walk.

After I showered and got dressed, I grabbed Leo's leash and snapped it onto his collar. I still hadn't eaten breakfast, so I went to "Mary's Family Restaurant" I knew from past experiences that the place was pretty tasty, and pretty cheep, and plus it allowed dogs. Perfect.

I took a seat at a booth, and tied Leo to the table pole. It had been a while since I had been here, so I had to skim through the menu to decide what I wanted. When the waitress came up, I didn't pay much attention to her. But when I finally met her eye, we both gasped.

"JORDAN?!" I practically screamed.

"KATIE?!" She screamed back. I lept to my feet, embracing her in a giant bear hug. "What are you doing in California?! It's been so long since I've seen you! Where have you been these past four years?!" She boggled my brain with so many questions.

"I could ask you the same thing! I've been here, I live here now" I responded, trying to calm myself.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!" She jumped up and down. "I just moved here a couple months ago— what a coincidence—"

"What are you ladies so excited about?" A voice from behind questioned. I figured this guy must be her boss.

She turned around to face him. "Freddy, this is my best friend. We got out of touch a few years ago, and we both ended up moving to California from Washington!! We've been best friends since the eighth grade. This is the first time I have seen her in four years."

I noted that she had not lost her ability to speak quickly, and with lots of information.

"Well get back to work. We are having a busy day today." Freddy stomped off into his office. I looked around, and saw no one but me. I looked at the room, then at her, then back and forth a few times with a questioning look on my face.

"Do you usually have... no customers?" I questioned.

"Let's just say that his time to be in the loony bin might be coming up soon." We giggled. " we TOTALLY have to catch up soon. Just not here, I guess. You still have my number?"

"Of course, JJ" I grinned.

"Text me, for sure!"

Freddy stormed back out of his office. "Dang it Jimmy, I told you you were banned from this place! OUT! OUT!!" He shooed me with his hands. This was too much-I laughed; then covered it with a cough.

"ok, Freddy, out I go!" I untied Leo from his post and strutted out the door. I waved goodbye to Jordan as Freddy slammed the door in my face. I smiled and shook my head as I walked down the street.

Then it dawned on me.

I still hadn't eaten breakfast.

———————-
P.S. Mary's is a real place! It doesn't actually have a crazy manager and no customers: it's a great place tho. I've been there: it's located in Oceanside, California. Google it if you like ❤️